Staying in the sect, controlling beasts and cultivating immortals

Ling Wuying's figure gathered at the edge of the newly formed oasis in Liusha River.

He knelt on one knee, his metal prosthetic arm deeply embedded in the damp sand.

Having just finished off the last remaining fugitives, the lingering killing intent and death aura from the battlefield, along with the vibrant life force emanating from the earth beneath his feet, created a fierce collision and fusion within him.

The world before his eyes instantly lost its color, leaving only countless lines representing life and death flowing about. "Nirvana as the guide, life as the blade... the Way of Shadow, too, can lead to the profound!"

As he whispered, his entire aura vanished completely, as if merging into the flowing sand and burgeoning grass. If not for the naked eye, his spiritual sense could no longer perceive his existence—Peak of the mid-stage of the Void Refinement Realm, broken! Shadow Law, perfected!
Gui Yinzi stood at the cleared entrance of the Valley of Ten Thousand Corpses, behind him a dark mass of kneeling, submissive evil cultivators. A wisp of pure, newly awakened life force from the Central Plains, mixed with a trace of chaotic imperial blood aura deliberately drawn down by Yu Changsheng, flowed into his long-parched Yin meridians like a sudden awakening.

"The Emperor's trust is strong, and fortune favors me! My path... is within reach!"

He roared to the sky, his body swirling with yin energy, yet there was no trace of evil left. Instead, he exuded a serene composure, as if all worldly desires had been washed away. Countless tiny golden runes flickered and shone within the yin energy—Peak of the Nascent Soul stage, broken! Yin Puppet Evil Technique, returning to its origin!
At the top of the barrier, Chen Xueqing, who was protecting Yu Changsheng, suddenly changed her aura.

The illusory image of the Pure Lotus returned to its body, and the jade lotus seal between its brows shone with light.

She did not deliberately break through her realm, but the perfectly perfected blue lotus in her sea of ​​consciousness trembled slightly, and a wisp of pure, emerald light containing the true meaning of "creation" naturally flowed out, silently merging into the Dao of Returning to Nothingness of the barrier beneath her feet.

Buzz! The defensive light barrier of the Purple Mountain Barrier instantly thickened several times, its color changing from light purple to deep purple-gold, with faint blue lotus phantoms flowing on its surface, and its power to purify and repel the remaining withered Dao principles surged!

This is an advancement and fusion at the level of Dao principles. Although the realm has not soared, the Dao origin of the Pure World Green Lotus has reached a new peak!

On the top of Tianyuan City, the setting sun, like blood, gilded Yu Changsheng's tall figure with a dazzling golden edge, making him appear like a god descending to earth.

Below, on the vast, completely leveled training ground, creatures from all directions of Zhongzhou gathered.

Wounded yet piercing human cultivators, pure and refreshed warriors of the Miasma Spirit Clan, apprehensive yet hopeful representatives of the surrendering demon race, and even a few ancient tree spirits radiating a hazy, intelligent glow...

All spirits stood solemnly, their gazes fixed on the figure atop the city wall.

Yu Changsheng slowly raised his hand and pressed down. The boiling sound instantly subsided, leaving only the gurgling sound of the new spiritual vein flowing and the rustling of the wind blowing through the new leaves.

"The sky has fallen, and all evil has been cleansed."

His voice was not loud, yet it was clearly imprinted deep within the soul of every living being, carrying the power to soothe wounds and an unquestionable majesty.

"From this day forward, the land of Zhongzhou returns to the Divine Dynasty, and all living beings coexist as our people!"

He pressed his palm down lightly onto the devastated yet burgeoning earth.

boom!
The Chaos Emperor Seal between his brows shone brightly! The Central Plains beneath his feet resonated with it, and countless newly formed spiritual vein nodes lit up simultaneously, causing the earth's energy to rise.

In the sky, the purple-gold light curtain and the illusory blue lotus of the Chaos Purification Array operated at full power for the last time, completely refining and dispelling the last stubborn gray mist!
In an instant, the thick haze that had obscured the sky over Central China for a century was completely torn away!

The long-awaited, pure and dazzling starlight and moonlight poured down without hindrance, gently bathing this land that had suffered so much.

The starlight and moonlight mingled with the new life on earth, illuminating every tearful face that gazed up at the sky.

"May the mountains and rivers be restored to their former glory, and may all living beings bask in their light!"

Yu Changsheng's announcement resounded throughout the world like a great bell.

The immense power of the nation's destiny spread out from him, like a warm tide, gently caressing the bodies of every creature that submitted.

Whether human, miasma spirit, demon, or monster, they all felt a slight tremor deep in their souls, as if they had been branded with an invisible mark, closely connected with this revitalized land, with the figure on the city wall, and with the fortune of the glorious divine dynasty!

Deep within the Purple Mountain Fortress, the core of the Guixu Star Orbit Compass, which floated before Mo Heng, suddenly lit up with a gray light and pulsed silently, as if a dormant heart was gently knocked on by distant starlight.

Yu Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back amidst the dazzling light, but his gaze had already quietly swept past the cheering Wanling and turned to a dark coordinate in the depths of the starry sky that only he could perceive.

With the Central Plains now pacified and the land restored to its former glory, a beacon buried deep within the Ruins of Return is emanating a pulse that only he can hear.

The gate to the spirit world slumbers amidst the desolate ruins, awaiting its true master's awakening—this unknown path to heaven is the starting point of Yu Changsheng's journey.

The dazzling light atop Tianyuan City gradually faded, and starlight and moonlight gently caressed the newly born earth.

The cheers of all souls receded like the tide, leaving behind only solemn awe and surging hope.

Yu Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back, the Chaos Emperor Seal slowly disappearing from his brow, leaving only a faint purple-gold glow that reflected in his deep, abyss-like eyes.

He did not become complacent with the initial victory.

Deep within the Emperor's Soul, the pulsation of the gray light at the core of the Returning Void Star Orbit Compass, like the heartbeat of a slumbering behemoth, clearly and powerfully reminded him that the peace of the Central Plains and even the Nine Provinces was merely the beginning of a long journey.

The real battlefield lies beyond the secret path leading to the "spirit realm" buried deep within those desolate ruins.

"Your Majesty." Mo Heng appeared silently behind him, his withered face still bearing the faint spiritual light of the array, his eyes flashing with the wisdom to see through the secrets of heaven. "The Chaos Purification Array has completely merged with the ancestral vein of the Central Plains and continues to evolve on its own."

The withered path is nothing to worry about; given time, the Central Plains will surely regain its ancient glory.

Yu Changsheng nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the orderly city below, which was being cleared and rebuilt, over the emerald beam of light soaring from the sacred tree in the distant swamp forest, over the reconnaissance messages silently transmitted by Ling Wuying in the shadows, and finally landing on Wang Cheng's imposing figure, who stood guard over the city like a rock, with an aura as deep as the sea.

"Well done, Mo Qing." Yu Changsheng's voice was steady. "Zhongzhou is the heartland of the Nine Provinces. Now that it has been restored, it should be our foundation. Propagate the Emperor's decree!"

His voice was not loud, yet it was like a divine decree, instantly resounding in the hearts of every core minister through the connection between the Chaos Imperial Seal and the newly born Central Plains' fortune:
"Wang Cheng!"

"Your subordinate is here!" Wang Cheng, standing below the city, responded with a thunderous roar that echoed across the surrounding area.

"I hereby appoint you to temporarily assume the post of 'General Who Guards the Central Plains,' commanding all the troops in the Central Plains, reorganizing defenses, and eliminating any remaining rebels. Forge order with iron will and bring peace to the people with benevolence. When the hearts of the Nine Provinces are won over, you will be the vanguard!"

"This humble general obeys the decree! I will certainly live up to the Emperor's trust!" Wang Cheng's eyes blazed with war, his chaotic bone arm swirled with dark gold, and a surge of heroic ambition to expand his territory arose spontaneously.

"Mo Heng!"

"Your humble servant is here!" "Using the Purple Mountain Barrier as the pivot, the ancestral veins of the Central Plains as the source, and the lotus platform of the Qingzhou Imperial Palace as the guide, we will deploy the 'Nine Provinces Chaos Imperial Array'! This array is not only for defense, but also needs to connect with the hidden spiritual veins of the various provinces, sense their existence, and pave a smooth path for future unification! The array's core will be located in the Qingzhou Imperial Palace, Tianyuan City in the Central Plains, and... the pivots of the remaining seven provinces to be determined!"

Yu Changsheng pointed out several mysterious coordinates in the void with his fingers, which were the key nodes of the Nine Provinces deduced based on the star compass.

"Your subject obeys! The foundation of the Nine Provinces array will be completed before the Emperor's return!"

Mo Heng bowed, his eyes gleaming. This would be a masterpiece surpassing the Chaos Purification Array, the pinnacle challenge of his array-building career.

"Xueqing."

Chen Xueqing gracefully arrived from the direction of the barrier, her lotus-like steps light and graceful, her body surrounded by pure energy, her brows furrowed with inner peace, her aura perfectly harmonious and flawless. "Brother Yu."

"You sit atop the Purple Mountain Fortress, wielding the essence of the Purifying Azure Lotus. The operation of the Imperial Array and the flow of fortune require the power of your Azure Lotus to mediate, cleanse all evil, and nourish all spirits. This is the 'heart' of the nation's vital instrument, and none other than you can do it." Yu Changsheng's gaze was gentle yet solemn.

"Xue Qing understands. With Qinglian here, the fortress will be forever secure, and the Imperial Formation will endure forever."

Chen Xueqing bowed gracefully, her tone resolute. She knew that Yu Changsheng's journey to the Spirit Realm was fraught with peril, and her presence behind the scenes, maintaining the Imperial Array and its fortune, was her greatest support.

"Ling Wuying, Gui Yinzi!"

Two figures appeared like ghosts. "Your humble servant is here!"

"Ling Wuying, your 'Hidden Scale' must transform into the Dark Network of the Nine Provinces. Infiltrate the other seven provinces, investigate their power structure, spiritual vein status, and remnants of evil influence, and draw detailed maps. Seek allies that can be won over, and mark the stubborn enemy leaders. When I return, wherever the Plow Wing points, there will be a response!"

"Ghostly Shadow Child, you are well-versed in the secrets of all the states and familiar with unorthodox methods. Assist Ling Wuying in sowing discord and disintegrating forces, and in recruiting capable individuals. Use the divine dynasty's fortune as bait, and swift and decisive measures as your blade!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Ling Wuying's voice was as cold as ice. Gui Yinzi bowed deeply: "Your subordinate will do everything in his power to pave the way for Your Majesty across the Nine Provinces!"

With the deployment complete, Yu Changsheng gazed one last time towards the distant east—the direction of Qingzhou. A silent thought traversed the boundless star field:

"The destiny of Qingzhou, the foundation of the Nine Provinces Imperial Array, is entrusted to you. Defend your homeland and await my return."

Deep within the Qingzhou Imperial Palace, the jade lotus platform enshrined there emitted a warm yet vast radiance, its petals swaying in layers, as if responding silently.

The entire imperial palace resonated with a powerful hum, and the immense power of the nation's destiny became even more concentrated, faintly resonating with the Purple Mountain barrier in the distant Central Plains.

Several days later, at the core of Burial God Ridge, in front of the enormous sealed black sphere shrouded by the phantom of the Purple Gold Mountain Range.

Yu Changsheng, Wang Cheng, Mo Heng, Chen Xueqing, Ling Wuying, and Gui Yinzi gathered here.

This area has been designated as an absolutely forbidden zone.

Yu Changsheng's expression was solemn. His imperial blood flowed through his body, resonating with the core of the Returning Void Star Orbit Compass at the edge of the Annihilation Sword. He extended his right hand, his fingertips swirling with purplish-gold chaotic imperial blood and wisps of spatial laws, and gently touched the surface of the pitch-black sealed sphere.

hum!
The intricate purple-gold runes on the sealed sphere suddenly lit up, then rippled outwards like water, revealing the remnants of the ascension passage at its core, forcibly stabilized by the power of the Annihilation Sword's "True Key." Deep within the remnants, a tiny, dust-like "Beacon Seed," intimately connected to the aura of Yu Changsheng's imperial bloodline, awakened the instant it sensed its master's summons!
“The time has come,” Yu Changsheng murmured.

"This journey to the Spirit Realm is not for ascension and carefree existence, but to slay evil, gather fortune, and purify the universe, to pave a true path to heaven for my divine dynasty and for all the spirits of my nine provinces! My lords, are you willing to follow me, break free from the shackles of this realm, and ascend to the highest heavens?"

"I am willing to follow the Emperor and shatter the heavens!"

The five spoke in unison, their gazes unwavering. Wang Cheng's fighting spirit surged, Mo Heng was filled with a thirst for exploration, Chen Xueqing's eyes held silent support, while Ling Wuying and Gui Yinzi's eyes gleamed with a resolute determination to establish merit on this new battlefield.

Yu Changsheng said no more. He pointed the Extinction Sword into the air, and the gray spot on the sword blade shone brightly, instantly establishing a solid link with the awakened "Beacon Seed".

A tiny yet incredibly resilient spatial passage, ignoring the seals and barriers, quietly formed deep within the wreckage at the break in the law.

"go!"

Yu Changsheng was the first to step into the distorted, fluctuating entrance to the passage. Wang Cheng followed closely behind, his chaotic bone arm spreading out to form a domineering shield.

Mo Heng waved his hand, setting up several layers of miniature Returning Void Array patterns to protect everyone. Chen Xueqing flicked a wisp of Azure Lotus Divine Light from her fingertip, merging it into the edge of the passage to increase its stability.

Ling Wuying and Gui Yinzi transformed into two illusory figures and merged into Yu Changsheng's shadow.

The next moment, space violently distorted, and the six figures were instantly swallowed by the deep passage. The purple-gold runes sealing the sphere lit up again, closing the entrance as if nothing had ever happened.

Only the gray light at the core of the star compass pulsed more powerfully after Yu Changsheng left, like a lighthouse guiding a voyage.

Spirit Realm: Shattered Star Wasteland
The process of traversing the passage was far from peaceful. The raging spatial turbulence was a hundred times more dangerous than the deathly winds of the Void, and countless shattered fragments of laws cut through everything like sharp blades.

Even Yu Changsheng felt a sharp pain coming from the cracks on his Dao Foundation that had already healed, and his Emperor Blood was being severely depleted.

Wang Cheng's chaotic bone arm emitted a hard, dark golden light, withstanding the impact from the outermost layer. Mo Heng's array patterns kept lighting up and shattering; his face was pale as he desperately calculated a safe path.

Chen Xueqing's Azure Lotus Divine Light became a sanctuary for everyone's souls, resisting the erosion of the chaotic will contained within the turbulent currents.

Ling Wuying and Gui Yinzi completely concealed themselves, their presence almost disappearing, minimizing their perceptible presence.

After an unknown amount of time, a powerful and irresistible suction force suddenly came from ahead, followed by a bright light.

boom!
The six people were thrown out by a tremendous force and fell heavily onto a strange piece of land.

The sky was a deep, inky blue, dotted with countless stars far brighter and larger than those below, some of which even displayed eerie and enormous cracks or a deathly gray hue.

The air was filled with spiritual energy a hundred times stronger than usual, but this spiritual energy was mixed with a kind of terrifying "stardust miasma" - containing weak stellar radiation and inert energy. If cultivators in the lower realm did not take precautions, inhaling too much of it might cause their meridians to stiffen and their cultivation to stagnate.

The land was desolate and strange, with bizarre, glassy rocks and bottomless ravines everywhere. In the distance, enormous, chilling skeletons could be seen half-buried in the ground, exuding an ancient and desolate aura.

This is the edge of the spirit realm—the Shattered Star Wasteland, a legendary graveyard where stars were shattered in an ancient war. (End of Chapter)